Tag Archives: Short Film

Mazhalai Inidhu Short Film Review

Mazhalai Inidhu Short Film Review – Mazhalai Inidhu is a Tamil short film released in 2016. The short film explores the space between the importance to career and personal family life.

In the fast paced moving world with nuclear families and both couples working the time they get to spend with the child gets minimized. In case of high flying jobs, the child often gets lonely and longing for the time with the parents. Mazhalai Inidhu short film does an honest take on the problem.

High Points

The plot for the script is very common and connectable one. It also addresses the real world problems in a family. Kudos to the team for choosing it. They have also included the plot devices of showing two extreme characters of one being career oriented and the other willing to lead a balanced life at work. This helps in painting two contrasting picture. The climax of the film is very effective in driving home the message. Meesha Goshal has done the character with ease and is very convincing on the screen. Be it conducting team meetings, chasing down the kid to get ready or breaking down she has done it well.  The background score blends well with the theme of the movie. Also, the team has used many different locations for the shoot.

Low Points

When it comes to a nuclear family the burden should be equally shared between husband and wife. However, the plot hasn’t given importance to that. The length of the short film for its message is a bit too long. It would have been more effective to have it under 20 minutes.

Overall Mazhalai Inidhu is a very good attempt by director Gopinath and team. The team has a good potential for making more such intriguing dramas. Kudos to the team and all the best for their future endeavors.

You can watch the short film here

https://www.shortfundly.com/video/29281/ 

 

 

Red Jacket Short Film Teaser

Red Jacket Short Film Teaser

Red Jacket is a bilingual short film made simultaneously in Kannada and Tamil. Before I begin writing here is the teaser of both Tamil and Kannada versions.

Tamil Teaser:

Kannada Teaser:

After 2 years of running a blog on movie reviews, my passion towards movies and the movie making process has only grown more. So I decided to experience a movie making process first hand. I created a short film script for a 20-minute short film and decided to direct it. I am happy to announce that the short film is at a completion stage and we released the teaser for the short film yesterday.

The film is a revenge drama, a typical pulp fiction. I chose this genre as I felt this would allow me to experiment the aspects of movie making I wanted to. I request you to view the teaser and do share your comments.

The entire movie making process was very humbling and an eye opener in many aspects. The biggest experience has been witnessing how much the entire process relies on collaboration wherein every individual involved is accountable to make the movie an impeccable product.

Once I release the movie I plan to share some of the highlights of the journey I had traveled, the learnings, about my crew and many more aspects that would be useful for aspiring movie makers. In case any of you have any suggestion on a specific area of movie-making I should start with, share it in the comments I can start with it.

I have included the youtube videos of the teaser on top of this post. Hope you enjoy it. I am eager to hear your comments.

Master class with Mani Ratnam

Master class with Mani Ratnam

I had the extreme privilege to attend the master class with my favorite director Mani Ratnam during Bangalore International Film Festival 2016 in February. As much have been written about it then by the press I had not spent time in penning down my thoughts. Yesterday was his birthday and I thought  this is a right time to share some of the key takeaways from his session. Instead of giving an account of how the whole conversation went I would like to highlight the 3 key takeaways for aspiring filmmakers as shared by the ace director himself.  Here is this week’s Friday Fundas

The masterclass to some extent has been a fanfare more than a discussion for the popularity he has.  Amidst of all that there had been few gems and very practical advice that would be useful for filmmakers.

  1. Assistant Direction vs directing Short Film

Gone are the days where you had to serve as an assistant director to learn about film-making then go on to become a director. He said you learn a lot more in making short films than being an assistant director. The reason is in making of short films you are exposed to the whole project as compared to being an assistant director where you get a partial view into a large project.

2. Character evolves through collaboration between the actor and director

When you write a script you develop a character. This evolves and adds new dimensions as the actor gets into the shoes of the character. The end result of a character is the healthy collaboration between actor and the director to let it evolve and become real. Good actors are key to bring the characters to life.

3. Don’t procrastinate writing a screenplay

Everyone wants to make a movie but they often delay creating the screenplay. As much as this is delayed so will the movie. Keep a daily target for completing the script and follow it religiously.

Hope you found this useful. Leave your comments if you had further thoughts on this.

Chi Chi Man Short Film

Chi Chi Man Short Film – Chi Chi Man is a short film on awareness on child abuse. The film is directed by Neelam Singh.

In the recent past, we have been witnessing a growing number of cases of child abuse. Is it happening newly or is it that people have openly started talking about it now. Whatever be the case it is the most heinous crime that we should stand against and enforce strict actions against it.

Does creating and enforcing law and order sufficient to curb it? Well, it is a very sensitive issue and many a time a child may not even realise that she is subjected to sexual harassment. Given our conservative society parents often hesitate to talk about it to their kids so that they understand the perils in it. Even if they wanted, parents struggle to find a way to explain it to the kids.

Director Neelam Singh has taken this to be the central plot for her short film Chi Chi man. She has outlined an effective way in which parents can teach about a good touch and a bad touch to their kids without compromising on their innocence. The narrative is very effective in conveying the message and raising the awareness.

Kudos to the team for taking the subject that attacks the most dangerous crime in our society and educates parents to help their kids stand against it. Watch the movie below and share your comments.

It is a must watch for all the parents.

Haiku Nee Short Film Trailer

Haiku Nee Short Film Trailer

I had written review about a short film Unakae Uyiraanaen a few weeks back. It was directed by my friend Surrya M. Narayanan. I am happy to see that he has come out with his next short film Haiku Nee.

The screening of the movie is in AVM Studios, Chennai on 14th February 2015. You can catch the short film when it is screened.

All the best to Surrya and his team for the success of Haiku Nee.

 

Unakae Uyiraanaen Short Film Review

Unakae Uyiraanaen Short Film Review – Unakae Uyiraanen is a Tamil Short film directed by Surrya M. Narayanan released in 2014. Krishnan and Diana at their 60 recollect the sweet memories of their deep love.

The film is an emotional essay of true love through the lives of Krishnan and Diana. Love is immortal is a message that had been dealt in movies for many years. The situation, characters and the treatment makes it special. Director Surrya and his team have conveyed this through the memoirs of Krishnan and Diana at their advanced years. Usually old age is considered to be the one where self-actualization occurs. There are many things that might have changed but love remains unchanged.

Delhi Ganesh is a good choice to play the character of Krishnan. It is completely his show as he effortlessly slips into any emotional state and adapt his body language accordingly. Patricia Tanner too fits in the role well.

The high point of the short film is that it is just made with two characters and no others. Symbolizes the fact that for two people emotionally connected by love the world is almost non-existent. It is very effective. There are good punches in certain portions of the dialogues that would connect well with the audience. The cinematography and the background score is a big plus for the film.

If at all I have to pick an area where there is room for improvement is on lengthier dialogues which drags a bit on occasions. Compared to the whole output this is very minor.

Overall Unnakae Uyiraanaen is a refreshing short film that will emotionally connect with you and make you fall in love all over again. My hearty congratulations to Surrya and his team for making a short and sweet episode of love and wish them luck for their future projects.

You could watch the full movie in the video link below.

 

Must Watch – Watch this now

 

 

That Day After Everyday

That Day After Everyday – is a short Film by Anurag Kashyap released in 2013. The movie is a strong take on eve-teasing and molestation in the society. The movie instills confidence and empowers women to fight against these issues bravely. A must watch for every one. Hats off to Anurag Kashyap for making such a wonderful movie!